The resignation of the town's community board chairman David Ogilvie was called for this week by Motueka Residents' Association convenor David LeLong.

He claimed David Ogilvie had slighted Ngati Tama chairman Fred Te Miha in a casual conversation.

During the public forum session of Tuesday night's meeting David LeLong said David Ogilvie's alleged slight came on top of the board, and Tasman District Council, continuing to allow Birdhurst Horticulture's pit near the Motueka River to be used to compost dead chickens despite water contamination and health fears.

"We have no confidence in you as a chair and you should resign from the chair and the board," David LeLong said.

However, David Ogilvie said no slight of Fred's status occurred.

He had asked David LeLong what iwi Fred chaired and stated that Fred was not a director of Tiakina Te Taio, the resource management arm of Wakatu and local iwi.

Kura Stafford confirmed to the meeting that Fred was the alternate director of Tiakina Te Taiao, the chairman of Ngati Tama Iwi Trust, the trust's principal Waitangi Treaty negotiator, a trustee of Te Awhina Marae, Ngati Tama's representative on the South Island Iwi Forum and holds the mandate to speak publicly on behalf of Ngati Tama.

Meanwhile, the board will ask the council to test the water of a private bore for contamination.

It is some 140m away from Birdhurst's composting pit, between Parker St and the Motueka River.

The decision followed discussion among board members which was driven by the concerns of some ratepayers.

Board member Cliff Satherley said it was the board's job to address residents' concerns.